In fact, for the casual rap listener, Jay Z was better known for his guest appearances on tracks by Foxy (“I’ll Be,” Jay’s first Billboard top-ten hit), Lil’ Kim (“Big Momma Thang”), and the Notorious B.IG.

“Ain’t No Nigga,” a Nutty Professor soundtrack contribution and the biggest single from RD, had a larger impact on Foxy Brown’s career than Hov’s. 23 on the Billboard album charts, and was only certified platinum six years after its release), and while Jay was known within East Coast rap and media circles, he didn’t have anywhere near the national profile he’d have a half-decade later. What revisionist history makes people forget is that Doubt was not a big seller (it peaked at No. It’s important to remember that while the Jay Z of Reasonable Doubt is now heralded as one of the greatest-ever mafioso rappers, at the time he was little-known outside of New York rap circles. 1 is a failure - he never quite strikes the balance between the two sides - but it is a magnificent failure, and the most complex, revealing album in Jigga’s oeuvre. Here, Jay is trying desperately to find his footing, aiming for the sweet spot between RD‘s street-kingpin persona and his grander pop-star aspirations. 1 also occupies a curious position within the evolution of the Hov persona. At this point, it’s likely known more for random lines which have been sampled in other contexts (e.g., “Who’s the best MCs, Biggie, Jay Z, and Nas” from “ Where I’m From” “Motherf**kers” can’t rhyme no more, about crime no more” from “Intro”) than for any of its singles.

1 is largely undervalued, almost forgotten ( Jay Z himself ranks it as his seventh best album). 2… Hard Knock Life - which boasts such radio smashes as “Hard Knock Life,” “Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator ’99),” and “Can I Get A…,” and helped solidify Jigga’s coveted position as the King of New York - and 1996’s bona fide “hood classic” debut album, Reasonable Doubt - which many purists insist is Jay’s greatest album - Vol. Situated between his breakthrough album, 1998’s Vol.

1 occupies a curious position in the Jay Z discography. In light of this, 1997’s In My Lifetime, Vol. Throughout his career, Jay Z has prided himself on his ability to stay relevant, sell records, and keep the streets on lock for “seven straight summers.” Coming into prominence at the moment when rap as a genre was beginning to reach theretofore unseen commercial heights, Hov’s hustler mentality and business savvy have proven to be invaluable guiding forces in cementing his position as the most successful rapper of all time. In honor of the recent 20th anniversary of Jay Z’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt, we’re publishing a series of pieces looking at the rapper’s singular career and achievements.

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